September7, 2006

Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) released the following statement regarding U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean. Ramos and Compean were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for their actions last year, in attempting to apprehend a Mexican drug smuggler who brought nearly 800 pounds of marijuana across our border, and face 25 years in prison.

It seems to me the U.S. government is on the wrong side of the law. The battle on the border is growing more violent everyday and our law enforcement officials need to know that they have the full support of the U.S. government in enforcing our immigration laws. It is appalling to me that our own government would give immunity to an illegal drug smuggler in their effort to prosecute these two brave young men who were simply doing their job protecting the dignity of our borders and our country. I urge President Bush to extend a full pardon to both of the agents.